By Graham Hill
CONOR Hourihane has described Jack Grealish as the ‘best player in the Championship’.
The Villa midfielder scored twice in the 4-0 demolition of Derby County – but it was Grealish who grabbed the headlines with sensational return after three months out injured.
Grealish scored a wonder goal when he volleyed home Glenn Whelan’s corner on the stroke of half-time.Hourihane said: “Jack’s a fantastic player, probably the best in the league on his day.
“He’s got fantastic quality, coming back maybe gave the lads a bit of a lift and a buzz.
“He showed his quality here. He made a big difference for us and that was definitely a big part of the performance and the result.
“With that quality, any team is going to improve.”
And Villa midfielder Hourihane said Grealish’s return made a huge difference with Dean Smith’s play-off hopes re-ignited once more.
Hourihane also believes Grealish’s return can take Villa into the if they maintain the form they showed against Frank Lampard’s Rams.
He added: “Of course, someone like Jack coming in is only going to improve us, so we have to believe.
“Jack’s a great character, bubbly, the lads love him.
“We’ve missed him, no doubt about that.
“Any team in the Championship would welcome him into their team.
“Jack attracts opposition players. He has that ability to go past people.
“So when he faces someone up, he probably drags a couple of players to him and leaves spaces for others.”
Villa Roar 